Johnson Eager To Help Rushing Game

Every week, Nebraska running backs coach Ryan Held tells Rahmir Johnson to be ready to play. Maybe, just maybe, it's the game coaches will truly need the true freshman.
 
This week, Held means it. Really.
 
No, really.
 
With sophomore Maurice Washington not currently part of the program because of disciplinary reasons and the uncertain health status of freshman Wan'Dale Robinson, chances are high that coaches will need the services of Johnson, even it means putting his redshirt in jeopardy.
 
"We've got to put him in a position where we can see what he can do," Held said. "We hope we can redshirt him, but you never know."
 
Johnson, from Oradell, New Jersey, has already played in two games, meaning he can still play in two games and preserve a redshirt season, per NCAA rules. Nebraska coach Scott Frost said that's his plan, although it's one that could change as circumstances do.
 
Johnson, for one, isn't concerned.
 
"If the time comes they need me to burn my redshirt, I'll be ready for it," Johnson said. "I'm not complaining."
 
Fans haven't yet seen much of Johnson, who's carried the ball three times for 9 yards, but the newcomer is eager to showcase the speed and elusiveness that made him a four-star recruit, and the No. 6 all-purpose back in the country, according to Rivals.
 
"I'm pretty agile. I have lots to bring to the table," Johnson said. "It's just a matter of time to give me the opportunity to show it. I'll be ready."
 
Yes, even for the rugged Big Ten Conference.
 
"It's a tough league. You've got to be tough to play in it, and that's why I chose to play for this team, in this league," Johnson said. "I'm excited to show everybody what I can do in this tough league. I can't wait."
 
Held has never shied away on his expectations for Johnson, saying since fall camp he's a running back that's ready, if needed. Of course, he's also a freshman, and as Held notes, you can't speed up time.
 
"It just takes time to get used to how everything flows, all the signals, all the things we do, all the concepts, and just coming out and iron sharpening iron and getting better every day," Held said. "I believe he can do some really good things."
 
Perhaps a fresh face could spark a Nebraska rushing game that's averaging a mere 3.8 yards per attempt over its last three games, that after piling 346 rushing yards in a 42-38 victory at Illinois.
 
Nebraska (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) hosts Indiana (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday. It spent its bye week last week going back to the basics and fundamentals, as Frost wants his offense to be more physical and assertive. That begins with authoritatively running the football.
 
"Just running the ball hard and running through tacklers," Nebraska junior running back Dedrick Mills said. "That's what we've got to do, and that's what we are going to have to do. We really don't have a choice. Running the ball and finding the right gaps."
 
Mills, a transfer from Georgia Tech, via Garden City Community College, is solely No. 1 on the depth chart with the absence of Washington. He has a team-best 350 rushing yards on 4.6 yards per rush and has displayed significant improvement in his transition to a different offense.
 
"He's getting better at it all the time," Frost said. "I think probably the big thing was the vision and a little bit of patience in running in our kind of scheme. It's not so downhill and hit right now. You saw how natural he was when we lined him up right behind the center and gave it to him.
 
"He's learning how to run in our scheme a little better, and I think he's been getting better every week, so he'll continue to improve."
 
Held said Mills could flourish over the second half of the season in the same manner Devine Ozigbo did last season, when he started the final nine games as a senior, found a groove and became the Huskers' first 1,000-yard rusher in a season since Ameer Abdullah in 2014.
 
"I'm not saying he's going to do that, I don't know," Held said, "but I think he'll have an opportunity to get more carries and get into a flow."
 
Nebraska will also welcome Wyatt Mazour back to the lineup after the senior missed the Minnesota game because of a concussion he suffered the previous Tuesday in practice. Mazour returned to practice this week after passing protocol and is eager for his opportunity, too.
 
"If I get my chance, I'm really going to hit it with everything I've got," Mazour said. "I think all the running backs will do that, because we know we have some shoes to fill. We don't expect any loss in production, and we hope to get better as an offense."
 
Even if he doesn't play, Mazour wants to do his part, as a senior, to provide leadership, and show others the importance of attention to detail. He doesn't want this season to end like the last two – without a bowl game – and knows he's not alone.
 
"You know, in the locker room I can see a lot of guys who want to go and get it done," Mazour said. "At times, in years past, when we're kind of hitting that spiral, you see guys give up and not want to be here. But here it's just more attention to detail.
 
"People want to get over the hurdle. We're going to grow a lot as a team, and if the results don't show this year, they will in the future."
 
Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.